SOCAN is sponsoring Songwriter of the Year honours at the 13th annual Maple Blues Awards, slated for January 18, 2010, at Toronto's new Koerner Hall in the Royal Conservatory of Music.

SOCAN members nominated for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year are:

• Brandon Isaak (The Twisters)
• Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite
• Harrison Kennedy
• Paul Reddick
• Treasa Levasseur

Ottawa boogie-blues band Monkey Junk leads the nominations with a total of six – including Entertainer, Electric Act and Recording of the Year (for the album Tiger in Your Tank). Vancouver-based blues band The Twisters is next in line, earning five nominations, including Electric Act and Recording of the Year (for the album Come Out Swingin’).

In addition to sponsoring the songwriting honours, SOCAN is also a sponsor of the event as a whole. The event is also funded in part by the SOCAN Foundation. The Toronto Blues Society (TBS) will present the awards, which are national in scope. The organization has planned a full slate of live performances as part of the festivities The Maple Blues Awards promote blues music across Canada, and recognize outstanding achievement in the field.

For more information, a full list of nominees, or to cast a vote for your favourite contender in each category, visit the Maple Blues Awards website.